Drury Survives in OT at Lenox

LENOX, Mass. – Ashlyn Hayden scored 15 points Monday to lead the Drury girls basketball team to a 51-43, overtime win over Lenox.

 

Delaney Hayden scored 12 points, and Megan McGrath added 11 for the Blue Devils, who were a little short-handed.

 

But Blue Devils coach Ian Downey was not attributing the close nature of the game to  absences or illness.

 

“All the credit goes to the Lenox girls,” Downey said. “They made us work for a win tonight. They played hard and hit some big shots.

 

“The game was close most of the night. Every time it felt like we were about to go on a run, Lenox answered with a big shot. Defensively, you could tell we were laboring. We weren’t as active as we normally are and struggled at times to keep the ball in front of us. That said, when the game went to overtime, our defense really stepped up. We gave up a three on their first possession, but after that we dug in and finished the rest of overtime strong.”

 

Eighth-grader Layla Soules, who finished with a game-high 17 points, had that 3-pointer for the Millionaires, who overcame a two-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to force overtime.

 

Grace Julieano finished with 13 points for Lenox.

 

“I told the girls in the locker room that we ran our sets but the shots didn’t fall and we are playing well at this time of year,” Lenox coach Nicole Patella said. “We have to keep coming in and working that end of game situations.”

 

Delaney Hayden scored five points, and Megan McGrath added four in OT.

 

Drury improved to 12-3 with an eight-game streak going into Wednesday’s home game against South Hadley.

 

“The most important thing is that we can learn a lot from this game,” Downey said. “There are areas we need to work on, and I know the girls will be eager to improve.

 

“Unfortunately, that will have to wait until next week, as we have a huge game against South Hadley on Wednesday. They always play hard and are very well coached. Hopefully we’re fully healthy, because it will be a great test as we head into the postseason.”

 

Lenox (3-11) is home against Pioneer Valley Christian on Wednesday.